AGFCS DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY OVER THE FORCED DISAPPEARANCE OF
ABUBAKAR IDRIS (DADIYATA)
The Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS) expresses deep concerns over the unresolved
disappearance of a political activist, Abubakar Idris, popularly known as Dadiyata, who has been
missing since August 2019. On 2 August 2019, Dadiyata, a political activist and a 34-year-old
lecturer at the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, was reportedly seized by unidentified armed men as
he arrived at his home in Barnawa, Kaduna State. He has remained unseen ever since. Local and
international civil society organizations widely condemned Dadiyata’s disappearance and filed
several lawsuits challenging the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. However,
Dadiyata’s whereabouts remain unknown, thus representing one of Nigeria’s most troubling
unresolved cases of enforced disappearance of civic actors.
Recently, there have been claims about Dadiyata’s disappearance being politically motivated.
Whether the recent claims are accurate or not, the only responsible path forward is a prompt,
independent, and transparent investigation by the Nigeria Police Force. Media reports reference
possible knowledge of those responsible, including mention of an alleged confession by a police
officer. According to the Rule of Law and Advocacy Accountability Centre (RULAAC), “recent
public comments by Nasir El-Rufai (then Governor of Kaduna State during the period of
Dadiyata’s abduction) during a live interview have raised grave concerns regarding the enforced
disappearance of political activist Abubakar Idris, widely known as Dadiyata. In that interview,
El-Rufai reportedly pointed fingers at Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who was the Governor of Kano
State at the time of Dadiyata’s abduction. He also referenced an alleged confession by a police
officer purportedly involved in the operation. If these claims are accurate, they are explosive.”
Enforced disappearance is a grave human rights violation and a threat to constitutional guarantees
of right to life, liberty, dignity, and freedom of expression under the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), and other extant international human rights instruments.When individuals (especially civic actors) disappear without accountability, fear spreads, and civic
space shrinks.
AGFCS therefore calls on the Inspector General of Police, in collaboration with relevant
authorities, to immediately:
1. Initiate a transparent and independent investigation into all available information,
including recent public statements.
2. Release the findings of the investigation to the public and communicate them clearly to the
family of Abubakar Idris.
3. Ensure full accountability for those responsible.
We reiterate that enforced disappearance poses a grave threat to civic space and has no place in
any democratic society. Dadiyata’s family is owed truth and closure, and Nigeria is owed
accountability. Justice must not be allowed to remain in abeyance.
Signed:
• African Focus For Youth Development (AFFYD)
• Centre for Community Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding – Kaduna
• Spaces for Change | S4C West Africa
• Centre for Community Empowement and Poverty Eradication, Kwara
• Restorative Justice for Africa Initiative (REJA) co-signs.
• Community Youths Arise Network – Bayelsa
• Entrepreneurship Initiative for African Youth (EIFAY Africa)
• Institutional and sustainable development Foundation ( FCT )
• Elixir Trust Foundation
• Open Society on Justice Reform Project (OSJRP)
• Rule of Law Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)
• Dandalin Matasa Initiative for Rapid Development
